Question: Is there a difference between Bid’ah and diverging from the Sunnah?

Answer: Mukhalafatus Sunnah has a more general meaning than bid’ah. Diverging from the sunnah can sometimes be in sinning or in Bid’ah. Bid’ah in itself is diverging from the Sunnah : Worshipping Allah in acts He and His Messenger didn’t legislate.

The Innovator and Sinner without a doubt both diverge from the Sunnah. It’s better for us to say, “ They diverge from the Quran and the Sunnah.” When we say Sunnah it refers to the reports on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And sometimes the word Sunnah is used to mean Minhaj. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “ Cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of my rightly Guided Companions…”